There’s really only one word to describe the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens: magical. Actually, there are two more words: hidden gem. This beautiful park, located on the west side of Carmel, is a magical hidden gem, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a more analog park experience for kids.
Open Ended Play at the Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden is a perfect space for open-ended play and imaginative games because there is almost no playground equipment except a tunnel slide. Instead, there are kid-sized tunnels build into small hills, bridges, playhouses, gardens, sand pits, rocks to climb and rainbow paths to run around. It’s a great place for make-believe games, tag with friends or siblings, or flying a kite. There are lots of wide-open spaces and lots of grass, making this an excellent park for picnics.
The Gardens
The Children’s Garden features raised bed gardens filled with flowers and plants that are planted during the spring and summer months. A pollinator garden circles an outdoor classroom in the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens. The plants in the Butterfly Garden were chosen for their ability to attract pollinating insects, such as butterflies and honey bees. The outdoor classroom is a public, open-air shelter that provides a space for nature education programming in an outdoor environment.
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Far off from the Children’s Garden is a 90-foot twin bell tower that chimes at the hour. It’s nice to be at the garden when the tower plays songs, like Somewhere Over the Rainbow!
The Clay Township Children’s Pavilion
In May 2021, the Clay Township Children’s Pavilion was added to the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens. The unique facility features twin shelters joined by a pergola-covered walkway and a fireplace-styled outdoor grill. The pavilion allows for child-friendly activities and supports various children’s programs.
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The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens is located at 11677 Towne Road in Carmel. It is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. For more info, visit www.myhamiltoncountyparks.com.
